Payment Options for Graduate and Undergraduate Degree Programs
Qualified students may be eligible for scholarships, private loans, military tuition assistance, veteran’s education benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, and other third-party resources. While Abraham Lincoln University is already one of the most affordable colleges in California, there may also be outside scholarship opportunities available. Contact our Admissions team at 213-252-5100 to learn more about your options and assistance with your scholarship search.
Students who obtain private and federal student loans are responsible to repay the full amount of the loan in addition to interest accrued, less the amount of any refund from ALU. Financial aid is available to those who qualify; view our Financial Aid page, and contact our Financial Aid Office at 213-252-5100 x6405 for information regarding eligibility.
Payment Plans
University Program Institutional Payment Plans (Excluding JD Program and International Students)
| Level of Degree | Undergraduate degree and Certificates | Graduate degree and Master’s Certificates |
| Per Term | $2490 | $1980 |
| Academic Technology Library & Resource Fee ($60 per course) | $120 | $60 |
| Payment Plan Minimum | $1305 | $1020 |
- Students are allowed to take TWO courses per session (undergraduate) and ONE course per session (graduate).
- If an undergraduate student takes 3 courses, then the tuition and fees for the third course must be paid in full no later than the start of the term.
- If a graduate student takes 2 or more courses, then that course tuition must be paid in full no later than the start of the term.
- Annual percentage rate (APR) for interest is zero (0) percent.
- The first payment must be made with the submission of the Enrollment Agreement.
- Auto-payment by e-check or debit/credit card is mandatory.
- If a student pays with a credit/debit card, a convenience fee in the amount of 3.5% of the payment will be charged.
- Balance of the tuition to be paid in equal monthly payments indicated above until paid in full.
- Payment plan may extend beyond the student’s anticipated completion date and students shall continue to pay until balance is paid in full.
- Degrees will not be released until tuition and fees are paid in full, even if payments extend beyond program completion date.
- Students who fail to make payments may forfeit their ALU student rights and the total balance of the tuition deferred shall be due and payable immediately and are subject to collection.
- Additional fees or charges may be added to the balance for the period of attendance.
For those students paying out of pocket, the university provides a zero-interest, monthly payment plan option to those who qualify – a courtesy most colleges with low tuition are unable to offer. The Financial Aid Administrator will work with each student to discuss payment plan options. The student’s balance will be broken up into monthly payments while the student is enrolled at ALU. If a student wishes to request a monthly payment plan extended beyond their graduation date, they must submit a request to the Financial Aid Administrator for approval. Students will need to pay the $200 registration fee upon signing the enrollment agreement.
Any monthly payment more than 7 days late will put a student’s account in financial delinquency. A late monthly payment fee of $25 will be automatically charged after the 7th day of any month where there is an outstanding balance. Students have a grace period of 7 days at the beginning of each month before the late monthly payment fee is charged. Any monthly installment more than 30 days late will result in suspension of academic access. A student’s account that is more than 60 days late may result in dismissal from the university.
Tuition and fees must be paid-in-full. Diplomas will not be issued, and other university privileges may be suspended until all financial obligations are met by the student. Enrollment in the payment plan does not eliminate students’ responsibility to ensure tuition is paid by the due date. Students who have not paid their balance in full by the end of the payment plan agreement will not receive a diploma. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will be responsible for repaying the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund. If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the amount of the financial aid fund is excess of direct costs (tuition and fees) payable to the University.
Cancellations & Refunds
The university’s Cancellation, Withdrawal and Refund Policy complies with prescribed standards established by DEAC and BPPE.
ALU’s refund policy, as stated below, is in compliance with California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) state requirements. For students who reside in California where ALU is authorized to operate, or in a state where ALU has received an exemption, ALU will follow the refund policy stated below. If there is a conflict between ALU’s policy and another state agency’s refund policy, ALU will follow the policy that is more beneficial to the student.
- A student may cancel an Enrollment Agreement or withdraw from the University at any time. A student has the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later. If notice of cancellation is given through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later, the student will obtain a full (100%) refund of all tuition paid less the application fee.
- A student who withdraws after the first class session, or seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later, will be subject to a one-time per program non-refundable Registration Fee of $200, a non-refundable Student Tuition Recovery Fund fee of $.0005 x tuition charge rounded to the nearest $1000 (CA residents only), and an Academic, Library, and Technology Resource fee of $60 per course, as well as prorated amounts of refundable fees, as appropriate.
- A student may withdraw from a course or program and receive a refund by providing a written notice to Registrar via email to registrar@alu.edu. Any money due to the student will be refunded within 30 days.
- If the student received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of moneys not paid from federal student financial program funds.
- For California residents, the amount of assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund is nonrefundable and will not be returned to students who are California residents.
- Notwithstanding non-refundable portion of tuition and fees, a pro-rata refund of the remaining tuition will be based on the student’s last date of attendance for students who have completed 60 percent or less of the period of attendance.
- For service members, reservists, and family members who stop attending due to service obligations, the University will return any unearned benefits administered by the institution to the source of the funds on a pro-rata basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided.
- If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund.
- If the student is eligible for a loan guaranteed by the federal or state government and the student defaults on the loan, both of the following may occur:
- The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan; or
- The student may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government assistance until the loan is repaid.
Unofficial Cancellation/Withdrawal
An unofficial cancellation or withdrawal refers to a student who fails to submit an academic related activity (ARA) for more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days without officially canceling or withdrawing from ALU. The cancellation or withdrawal date for those students who do not officially cancel or withdraw will be recorded as the date ALU notifies the student of their cancellation or withdrawal. The date of determination (DOD) is no later than fourteen (14) days from the student’s LDA. The student will receive a full refund for paid courses that were not started at the time of cancellation or withdrawal. If tuition is paid by a private third-party payer and a refund is due, the refund will be issued directly to the student. If the student received federal student financial aid funds, a return to title IV (R2T4) will be completed to determine if funds need to be returned to the government.
EXAMPLE:
An undergraduate student enrolls in their first academic year (32-weeks)
taking 6 semester credit units per 8-week session (56 days) and withdraws with a last day of attendance (LDA) of the 25th day. The student attended 45% (25 days attended / 56 total # of days per session) of the course(s). Due to withdrawing after the 7-day cancellation period and attending 45% of the course(s), the student is charged: the one-time per program non-refundable Registration Fee ($200), a refundable Academic, Technology and Library Resources Fee ($60/course), a one-time per program non-refundable Student Tuition Recovery Fund fee ($.0025 x tuition charge rounded to nearest $1000 – CA residents only), and tuition for the courses, minus the total amount per diem.
| Tuition and Fee Charges: | |
| Tuition (24 units @ $415/unit) | $9960.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resources Fee (refundable through add/drop period; $60/course) | $480.00 |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee ($.0025 x tuition charge rounded to nearest $1000 – non-refundable, CA residents only) | $132.50 |
| Total Charges for the Academic Year | $10,772.50 |
| Upon withdrawal with LDA on the 25th day of the first session, the student will be charged: | |
| Tuition (6 units @ $415/unit) | $2490.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resource Fee (refundable through add/drop period; $60/course) | $120.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee ($.0025 x tuition charge rounded to nearest $1000 – non-refundable, CA residents only) | $132.50 |
| Total Charges for session | $2942.50 |
| $2,942.50 (total charges/56 (total# of days) = $52.54 per diem | |
| Minus per diem (25 (# day of attendance) * $52.54 (charge per day)) | $1313.50 |
Abraham Lincoln University does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy; it is not operating as a debtor in possession; it has not filed a petition within the preceding five years; nor has it had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States. Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.).
For students that are currently on the Payment Plan there will be no change in their existing plan other than the situations where the student wants to take more than two courses at the same time in which case the revised payment plan shall apply to the third course. However, if current students leave and have to be re-admitted to the University, they will be subject to the revised payment plan explained below. Students on a current payment plan that request more than two courses (undergraduate) or more than one course (graduate) will be required to pay the tuition of the additional course under the new payment plan.
Juris Doctor Program Institutional Payment Plans
Tuition Payment schedule
1L/$11,875:
- A down payment of $2,600 (which includes $2,400 tuition and $200 registration fee is due at the submission of the enrollment agreement.
- The balance of the tuition will be paid in ten (10) monthly payments of $844 and one (1) final monthly payment of $835.
- Monthly payment is due on the 1st day of each month following the
first month of study via automated e-check or credit/ debit card. - Credit/ debit card payments will be charged a 3.5% convenience fee.
- The annual percentage rate (APR) for interest is zero (0) percent.
- Students who fail to make payments may forfeit their ALU student rights.
2L and 3L/$11,675:
- A down payment of $2,400 (which is due at the submission of the enrollment agreement.)
- The balance of the tuition will be paid in ten (10) monthly payments of $844 and one (1) final monthly payment of $835.
- Monthly payment is due on the 1st day of each month following the first month of study via automated e-check or credit/ debit card. A late monthly payment fee of $25 will be automatically applied after the 7th day of any month where there is an outstanding balance.
- Credit/ debit card payments will be charged a 3.5% convenience fee.
- The annual percentage rate (APR) for interest is zero (0) percent.
- Students who fail to make payments may forfeit their ALU student rights.
- A down payment of $2,400.
- Eleven (11) monthly payments of $865.
- In the fourth year, a $150 Graduation fee will be due to ALU one month after the last monthly payment.
- Students are expected to comply with Abraham Lincoln University policies and regulations, including meeting academic and financial obligations to the University.
- Monthly payment is due on the 1st day of each month following the first month of study via automated e-check or credit/debit card. A late monthly payment fee of $25 will be automatically applied after the 7th day of any month where there is an outstanding balance.
- Credit/debit cards will be charged a 3.5% convenience fee.
- The annual percentage rate (APR) for interest is zero (0) percent.
- Students who fail to make payments may forfeit their ALU student rights.
The University’s administration determines actions to be taken when students fail to meet obligations to the University. Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults and should at minimum be in communication with ALU staff when there is any substantial delay in fulfilling obligations.
- Any monthly installment more than 30 days late will put a student’s account in financial delinquency. Students have a grace period of 7 days at the beginning of each month before a late monthly payment fee of $25 is charged.
- Any monthly installment more than 60 days late may result in financial dismissal. Students who are financially dismissed can lose all credits related to their current academic year at ALU (please see Continuous Study Rule Requirements section).
- To correct or remediate a financial dismissal, students must bring their balance current and start on future start dates. Students will not be reinstated automatically once a dismissal has been remediated. A late monthly payment fee of $25 will be automatically applied after the 7th day of any month where there is an outstanding balance.
The University’s administration determines actions based on the severity of failure to meet obligations and taking prior records into account. Candidates for graduation will receive a diploma or certificate when all school obligations have been paid in full. Students with past due accounts may not be certified to sit for State Bar of California examinations due to Graduation Requirements.
While every effort is made to maintain student costs at a reasonable level, the University reserves the right to modify tuition and fee rates, tuition policies and schedules.
Cancellations & Refunds
For students who reside in California where ALU is authorized to operate, or in a state where ALU has received an exemption, ALU will follow the refund policy stated below. If there is a conflict between ALU’s policy and another state agency’s refund policy, ALU will follow the policy that is more beneficial to the student.
Student’s Right to Cancel
A student may cancel an Enrollment Agreement or withdraw from the University at any time. A student who intends to cancel or withdraw must notify the University in writing following the directions outlined in the Official and Unofficial Cancellation / Withdrawal policies. Any money due to the student will be refunded within 30 days. The student has a right to a full (100%) refund of all monies paid if cancellation is within seven (7) calendar days after midnight of the date the Enrollment Agreement was signed.Withdrawal
A student who withdraws later than seven (7) days after midnight of the day on which the enrollment agreement is signed will be subject to a one-time per program non-refundable Registration Fee of $200 and a non-refundable yearly Library Access Fee of $75, as well as prorated amounts of refundable fees, as appropriate. A student may withdraw from a course or program and receive a refund by providing a written notice to the Registrar at the ALU postal mailing address or via email to registrar@alu.edu. Notwithstanding non-refundable portion of tuition and fees, a refund of the remaining tuition will be based on the following table:| Length of Course | Refundable Tuition Due After: | |
| 1-6 weeks | Week 1 | 70% |
| Week 2 | 40% | |
| Week 3 | 20% | |
| Week 4 | 0% | |
| 7-10 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 60% | |
| Week 3 | 40% | |
| Week 4 | 20% | |
| Week 5 | 0% | |
| 11-16 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 70% | |
| Week 3 | 60% | |
| Week 4 | 50% | |
| Week 5 | 40% | |
| Week 6 | 30% | |
| Week 7 | 20% | |
| Week 8 | 10% | |
| Week 9 | 0% |
EXAMPLE:
A JD student is enrolled in his or her first course of the Academic Year for 10 quarter units (14 weeks) and withdraws after the 4th week of class. Refundable fees will be prorated as a portion of the standard 52-week academic year, as follows:
| Tuition and Fee Charges: | |
| Tuition and Fee Charges for the Academic Year: | |
| Tuition (35 units @ $288.57/unit) | $10,100.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resources Fee ($60 per course; refundable prior to the end of the first week of class) | $300.00 |
| Total | $10,600.00 |
| Upon withdrawal after the 4th week of the first course, the student will be charged: | |
| Tuition (10 qtr. units x $288.57 = $2885.70 x 50%) | $1442.86 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resource Fee | $60.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Total charges | $1702.86 |
| Refund calculation – refunded to student/federal financial aid programs: | |
| Tuition ($2885.70 x 50%) | $1442.86 |
| Refund to student/financial aid programs | $1442.86 |
Abraham Lincoln University does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy; it is not operating as a debtor in possession; it has not filed a petition within the preceding five years; nor has it had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States. Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.).
For students that are currently on the Payment Plan there will be no change in their existing plan other than the situations where the student wants to take more than two courses at the same time in which case the revised payment plan shall apply to the third course. However, if current students leave and have to be re-admitted to the University, they will be subject to the revised payment plan explained below. Students on a current payment plan that request more than two courses (undergraduate) or more than one course (graduate) will be required to pay the tuition of the additional course under the new payment plan.Student's Right to Cancel & Refunds
Student’s Right to Cancel
A student may cancel an Enrollment Agreement or withdraw from the University at any time. A student who intends to cancel or withdraw must notify the University in writing following the directions outlined in the Official and Unofficial Cancellation / Withdrawal policies. Any money due to the student will be refunded within 30 days. The student has a right to a full (100%) refund of all monies paid if cancellation is within seven (7) calendar days after midnight of the date the Enrollment Agreement was signed.
Withdrawal
A student who withdraws later than seven (7) days after midnight on the day on which the enrollment agreement is signed will be subject to a one-time per program non-refundable Registration fee of $200, as well as prorated amounts of refundable fees, as appropriate. A student may withdraw from a course or program by providing a written notice to the Registrar via email,
registrar@alu.edu, or by completing the withdrawal request form in eLearn.
Notwithstanding non-refundable portion of tuition and fees, a refund of the remaining tuition will be based on the following table:
| Length of Course | Refundable Tuition Due After: | |
| 1-6 weeks | Week 1 | 70% |
| Week 2 | 40% | |
| Week 3 | 20% | |
| Week 4 | 0% | |
| 7-10 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 60% | |
| Week 3 | 40% | |
| Week 4 | 20% | |
| Week 5 | 0% | |
| 11-16 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 70% | |
| Week 3 | 60% | |
| Week 4 | 50% | |
| Week 5 | 40% | |
| Week 6 | 30% | |
| Week 7 | 20% | |
| Week 8 | 10% | |
| Week 9 | 0% |
The student will receive a full refund for paid courses that were not started at the time of withdrawal. If tuition is paid by a private third-party payer and a refund is due, the refund will be issued directly to the student. If the student received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of moneys not paid from federal student financial program funds. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund.
Official Cancellation/Withdrawal
A student may cancel or withdraw from a course or program by providing a written notice to the Registrar via email, registrar@alu.edu, or by completing the withdrawal form in eLearn. If a student verbally or via email conveys the cancellation by contacting ALU staff or faculty, ALU staff will take the date of the verbal/email notification of the student, advise the student to complete the withdrawal form, and initiate the process. The cancellation or withdrawal date for those students who do not officially cancel or withdraw will be recorded as the date ALU notifies the student of their cancellation or withdrawal. The date of determination (DOD) is no later than fourteen (14) days from the student’s LDA.
Unofficial Cancellation/Withdrawal
An unofficial cancellation or withdrawal refers to a student who fails to submit an academic related activity (ARA) for more than twenty-one (21) consecutive days without officially canceling or withdrawing from ALU. The cancellation or withdrawal date for those students who do not officially cancel or withdraw will be recorded as the date ALU notifies the student of their cancellation or withdrawal. The date of determination (DOD) is no later than fourteen (14) days from the student’s LDA. The student will receive a full refund for paid courses that were not started at the time of cancellation or withdrawal. If tuition is paid by a private third-party payer and a refund is due, the refund will be issued directly to the student. If the student received federal student financial aid funds, a return to title IV (R2T4) will be completed to determine if funds need to be returned to the government.
Student Refund Policy Example
EXAMPLE:
A JD student is enrolled in his or her first course of the Academic Year for 10 quarter units (14 weeks) and withdraws after the 4th week of class. Refundable fees will be prorated as a portion of the standard 52-week academic year, as follows:
| Tuition and Fee Charges: | |
| Tuition and Fee Charges for the Academic Year: | |
| Tuition (35 units @ $325.00/unit) | $11,375.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resources Fee ($60 per course; refundable prior to the end of the first week of class) | $300.00 |
| Total | $11,875.00 |
| Upon withdrawal after the 4th week of the first course, the student will be charged: | |
| Tuition (10 qtr. units x $325.00 = $3250.00 x 50%) | $1625.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resource Fee | $60.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Total charges | $1885.00 |
| Refund calculation – refunded to student/federal financial aid programs: | |
| Tuition ($3250.00 x 50%) | $1625.00 |
| Refund to student/financial aid programs | $1625.00 |
CEC §94909(a) (12) Mandated Disclosure
Abraham Lincoln University does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy; it is not operating as a debtor in possession; it has not filed a petition within the preceding five years; nor has it had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States. Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.).
For students that are currently on the Payment Plan there will be no change in their existing plan other than the situations where the student wants to take more than two courses at the same time in which case the revised payment plan shall apply to the third course. However, if current students leave and have to be re-admitted to the University, they will be subject to the revised payment plan explained below. Students on a current payment plan that request more than two courses (undergraduate) or more than one course (graduate) will be required to pay the tuition of the additional course under the new payment plan.Private Loans
Student’s Right to Cancel
A student may cancel an Enrollment Agreement or withdraw from the University at any time. A student who intends to cancel or withdraw must notify the University in writing following the directions outlined in the Official and Unofficial Cancellation / Withdrawal policies. Any money due to the student will be refunded within 30 days. The student has a right to a full (100%) refund of all monies paid if cancellation is within seven (7) calendar days after midnight of the date the Enrollment Agreement was signed.Withdrawal
A student who withdraws later than seven (7) days after midnight of the day on which the enrollment agreement is signed will be subject to a one-time per program non-refundable Registration Fee of $200 and a non-refundable yearly Library Access Fee of $75, as well as prorated amounts of refundable fees, as appropriate. A student may withdraw from a course or program and receive a refund by providing a written notice to the Registrar at the ALU postal mailing address or via email to registrar@alu.edu. Notwithstanding non-refundable portion of tuition and fees, a refund of the remaining tuition will be based on the following table:| Length of Course | Refundable Tuition Due After: | |
| 1-6 weeks | Week 1 | 70% |
| Week 2 | 40% | |
| Week 3 | 20% | |
| Week 4 | 0% | |
| 7-10 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 60% | |
| Week 3 | 40% | |
| Week 4 | 20% | |
| Week 5 | 0% | |
| 11-16 weeks | Week 1 | 80% |
| Week 2 | 70% | |
| Week 3 | 60% | |
| Week 4 | 50% | |
| Week 5 | 40% | |
| Week 6 | 30% | |
| Week 7 | 20% | |
| Week 8 | 10% | |
| Week 9 | 0% |
EXAMPLE:
A JD student is enrolled in his or her first course of the Academic Year for 10 quarter units (14 weeks) and withdraws after the 4th week of class. Refundable fees will be prorated as a portion of the standard 52-week academic year, as follows:
| Tuition and Fee Charges: | |
| Tuition and Fee Charges for the Academic Year: | |
| Tuition (35 units @ $288.57/unit) | $10,100.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resources Fee ($60 per course; refundable prior to the end of the first week of class) | $300.00 |
| Total | $10,600.00 |
| Upon withdrawal after the 4th week of the first course, the student will be charged: | |
| Tuition (10 qtr. units x $288.57 = $2885.70 x 50%) | $1442.86 |
| Academic, Technology, and Library Resource Fee | $60.00 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $200.00 |
| Total charges | $1702.86 |
| Refund calculation – refunded to student/federal financial aid programs: | |
| Tuition ($2885.70 x 50%) | $1442.86 |
| Refund to student/financial aid programs | $1442.86 |
Abraham Lincoln University does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy; it is not operating as a debtor in possession; it has not filed a petition within the preceding five years; nor has it had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States. Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.).
For students that are currently on the Payment Plan there will be no change in their existing plan other than the situations where the student wants to take more than two courses at the same time in which case the revised payment plan shall apply to the third course. However, if current students leave and have to be re-admitted to the University, they will be subject to the revised payment plan explained below. Students on a current payment plan that request more than two courses (undergraduate) or more than one course (graduate) will be required to pay the tuition of the additional course under the new payment plan.
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